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Dictionary definition of “bastard”

bastard

n. a (large) tool with a rough side or edge used for smoothing or shaping. Subjects:
Editorial Note: A curiosity of the LOTJ editing process is that the first citation listed for it came before the second: somewhere, the definition was expanded but there’s no information on the source that enabled them to do so.
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Citations: 1677 @ OED: Of abnormal shape or irregular (esp. unusually large) size; spec. applied…to a file intermediate between the coarse and fine ‘cuts.’ 1913 Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary: a file intermediate between the coarsest and the second cut. *1938-39 Mendelowitz Lexicon of Trade Jargon “Machinists” p. 17: Bastard. Large file. *1938-39 Mendelowitz Lexicon of Trade Jargon “Machinists” p. 3: Bastard. File or thread of irregular cut or shape.
Posted 31 May 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend

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